China has over half a billion smartphone users. It’s then almost no surprise then that in the City of Chongqing, a new sidewalk has been unveiled exclusively meant for people walking around, looking down at their glowing screens.
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China’s People Daily popularised the news when it tweeted that it’s an “exclusive sidewalk for mobile phone users to avoid possible crashes.” –essentially, the lanes are designated areas for slow-moving, distracted people on-foot.
Chongqing City has set up China's 1st "exclusive sidewalk for mobile phone users ” to avoid possible crashes on Fri pic.twitter.com/jFiCbbE1yk
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) September 13, 2014
Ever since its invention, mobile phone-related accidents is a common hazard among drivers. Though only in the last few years have people been asked for their full attention: sight, sound and swiping. Apart from putting one foot in front of the other, we all know that Candy Crush, Netflix or Whatsapp require one’s full-attention.
Earlier this year in Washington DC, National Geographic did a study where they had similar designated sidewalks for hypnotised pedestrians next to a neutral zone. Interestingly, many people were too distracted by their devices to even notice there are designated areas for them.
Image via Newslocker
